Christmas Trees
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Make a custom tree topper by inserting narrow sticks into a Styrofoam ball. Spray-paint with the color of your choice. When dry, spray with spray adhesive and sprinkle with glitter. Tip: The topper will be most secure if one of the sticks is left long (about 18 inches) so that it can be wired to the tree trunk.
This is a star covered with strips of Christmas carol sheet music.
Both of these are from Better Homes & Gardens.
Make a custom tree topper by inserting narrow sticks into a Styrofoam ball. Spray-paint with the color of your choice. When dry, spray with spray adhesive and sprinkle with glitter. Tip: The topper will be most secure if one of the sticks is left long (about 18 inches) so that it can be wired to the tree trunk. 
This is a star covered with strips of Christmas carol sheet music.Both of these are from Better Homes & Gardens.
It probably only happened a few times but growing up, Mom used to enjoy creating a "theme" Christmas tree, much to my chagrin, and Gretchen's. "Mother! How could you?" I can't speak for Gretchen but of course in adulthood, I totally get it now. The only one I really remember was silver, turquoise and purple. I think. Maybe that was the only time Mom did that because we harassed her so badly. Sorry to be such ungrateful snotty kids, Mom.
I especially feel bad because I've gotten to the point where we haven't even put up a tree at all the last couple of years. Steve's not a Christmas kind of guy and Simon never seemed interested in helping decorate it. So I got tired of doing it by myself, without joy, not being appreciated. Of course I worried and still do, that I'm scarring Simon for life. I guess by age 21, if this is his biggest "issue", life ain't too bad.
I was happy to see a recent poll on the Suddenly Frugal blog that indicated a fair number of people don't use a tree either. I'm not sure how many of those 18 people fall into the same category as I do - maybe they are of a different faith. And considering this is a very environmentally friendly blog, I'm surprised that only 1 person voting has a live tree, to be planted after Christmas. We used to have those a lot, growing up. Those trees are now 2 stories tall in Mom & Dad's front yard.
Here's how the poll shakes out:
56 = Reusable Fake Tree
24 = Cut Live Tree
1 = Live Tree with Rootball
18 = Don't Use a Christmas Tree
I have a small collection of snowmen that I sometimes put out - and I'm feeling like I'll do that this weekend. I guess all of this came to mind because I bought a new stocking for Simon yesterday. I haven't given it to him yet but I'm surprised at how excited I am about it. His old stocking appears to have been scavenged for mouse bedding, if you catch my drift. I saw it when he moved back in and I asked him if he even wanted a stocking anymore. I think that's when he made the comment, " Can't we at least appear to be normal please, Mom?"
I still use the stocking my grandmother made for me 52 years ago. I also have stockings that I quilted when I was married. Simon STILL bitches about the the fact, that even though his stocking is bigger than the stockings I made for his dad and me, it isn't quilted like ours. And I had made matching stockings for the 2 cats - who got quilted stockings, but Simon's isn't quilted.
Poor kid. Better start saving for therapy for him now.
It took me a long time to let go of the notion that stockings, like Halloween costumes, should be homemade. I stopped holding myself to a standard that no longer worked for me. Simon was just as happy, happier even, with store-bought costumes and stockings. I admit that I still feel a tiny twinge of how things should be but overall, I try to do what works now, you know?
So I stimulated the economy by buying Simon a nice fleecy stocking with a friendly snowman on it at Target. Wins all the way around.
Here's how the poll shakes out:
56 = Reusable Fake Tree
24 = Cut Live Tree
1 = Live Tree with Rootball
18 = Don't Use a Christmas Tree
I have a small collection of snowmen that I sometimes put out - and I'm feeling like I'll do that this weekend. I guess all of this came to mind because I bought a new stocking for Simon yesterday. I haven't given it to him yet but I'm surprised at how excited I am about it. His old stocking appears to have been scavenged for mouse bedding, if you catch my drift. I saw it when he moved back in and I asked him if he even wanted a stocking anymore. I think that's when he made the comment, " Can't we at least appear to be normal please, Mom?"
I still use the stocking my grandmother made for me 52 years ago. I also have stockings that I quilted when I was married. Simon STILL bitches about the the fact, that even though his stocking is bigger than the stockings I made for his dad and me, it isn't quilted like ours. And I had made matching stockings for the 2 cats - who got quilted stockings, but Simon's isn't quilted.
Poor kid. Better start saving for therapy for him now.
It took me a long time to let go of the notion that stockings, like Halloween costumes, should be homemade. I stopped holding myself to a standard that no longer worked for me. Simon was just as happy, happier even, with store-bought costumes and stockings. I admit that I still feel a tiny twinge of how things should be but overall, I try to do what works now, you know?
So I stimulated the economy by buying Simon a nice fleecy stocking with a friendly snowman on it at Target. Wins all the way around.
Valentown Garden Club
Holiday Open House & Gift Sale
Miss Lillian's Tea Room
at the Historic Ichabod Town Homestead
267 High Street, Victor, NY
Valentown Museum Grounds
Friday, December 12, 1:00-6:00 PM
Saturday, December 13, 10:00-6:00 PM
Sunday, December 14, 10:00-5:00 PM
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Holiday Open House & Gift Sale
Miss Lillian's Tea Room
at the Historic Ichabod Town Homestead
267 High Street, Victor, NY
Valentown Museum Grounds
Friday, December 12, 1:00-6:00 PM
Saturday, December 13, 10:00-6:00 PM
Sunday, December 14, 10:00-5:00 PM
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Labels: Fun Stuff I Found Online, Life Update
posted by Stefani at 6:00 AM
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8 Comments:
You're too hard on yourself. If Simon REALLY wanted a Christmas tree, he would have helped trim it. That's a condition of mine - if the girls want me to put up a tree, they have to trim it. I have more than enough to do, and so do you.
You're right, Stephanie, thanks - and I do know that, intellectually. Obviously I do - I stopped putting up a tree. It's the emotional waffling that surprises me sometimes!
I still use the stocking that Granny made for me -- I can't ever remember using anything else. I made ones in the same simply style (red felt with applique) for the boys when they were babies. This year, I need to make one for Jill. I'm excited about that.
I am a "live tree" person, - no rootball, although mainly for lack of knowing that existed at all. Might be doing something new this year with that as I adore trees of all kinds. My hunny would not put one up if I didn't do it. He does not care about decorating. But we did not have a tree last year and I feel like we missed Christmas! I get giddy like a kid over Christmas trees!
I recall theme trees as one year all silver and another year all purple balls and bows. I also remember trying to start a tradition with the grandsons helping to decorate the tree. I had candy canes to hang on the tree and they ate them and then were bouncing off the walls. I also tried stringing popcorn not realizing boys have no patience for that like little girls do. I finally settled for having just one grandson at a time and that worked well until they were grown then I got a fiber optic tree, take out of the box and plug in. Works for me!
I agree with you--I'm surprised that so few people who read my blog, The Lean Green Family, choose to have a live tree. I really thought that the survey would be leaning that way but instead the fake tree folks are leading! Go figure.
Thanks for linking to my blog.
Leah
Thanks for listing The Lean Green Family blog on your site (as I mentioned in my comment above). I wanted to update you on two things about that blog.
First, I've changed the blog's name back to Suddenly Frugal (that's what it was called when I started it in 2007).
And, second, the blog is now hosted on WordPress at http://suddenlyfrugal.wordpress.com
It would be great if you could update your link and maybe stop by the new digs if you get the chance. Thanks again.
Leah Ingram
All fixed, Leah - how diligent you are to follow up on old links!
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